Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. It may develop suddenly and cause severe symptoms (acute prostatitis) or more gradually (chronic prostatitis).
Acute prostatitis is due to an infection, usually a bacterial one, whereas the cause of chronic prostatitis is usually unknown. It is more common in men between 30 and 50.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis include fever and chills; pain around the base of the penis and in the lower back; pain during bowel movements; and frequent, urgent, and painful urination.
Chronic prostatitis may cause pain and tenderness at the base of the penis, and in the testes, groin, pelvis, or back; pain when ejaculating; blood in the semen; and frequent, painful urination.
Both types of prostatitis are treated with medication
The condition may be slow to clear up and tends to recur